Reign Fall in OT to Heat in Fast-Paced Affair

The contest opened with a quick tempo as both teams registered early scoring chances within the game’s first moments.

After generating momentum, the Heat grabbed the first goal on the power play with 41 seconds remaining as forward Derek Grant snuck a shot past Reign netminder Peter Budaj (25 saves) from the bottom of the right-wing circle.

In the second period, the Reign responded early as Valentin Zykov buried his sixth goal of the season between the legs of Heat goaltender Joni Ortio (36 saves) at 1:13. Jordan Samuels-Thomas picked up the lone assist.

The two sides skated a high-energy, physical yet scoreless third period to roll into overtime. Beginning the extra session on the power play, the Heat converted just 30 seconds into the skate as Ryan tipped in his second goal of the game on top of the crease of Budaj.